PHIL0362

Philosophy of Psychology

Philosophy of Psychology
In this course we will discuss the philosophical foundations underlying psychology's scientific methodology. We will compare and contrast psychology to more 'mature' sciences, like physics, chemistry, and biology, in areas such as theory construction, hypothesis testing, and explanation. A central focus will be the relation of different levels of psychological explanation, in particular the extent to which psychology's success as a science depends on the reduction of beliefs and desires to brain states. (Previous course in philosophy, neuroscience major, or waiver)